Relive old-school dating: more than just swan boats — new seasonal ways to enjoy Wulai and Bitan

▲ Scenic Wulai is a long-established tourist destination in Taiwan. (Photo / Credited to reporter Tsai Wen-jun)

Reported by Yu Jiayun / Compiled by staff

How long has it been since you last visited Wulai and Bitan? Historic Wulai is a renowned hot spring tourism spot in Taiwan. With its beautiful scenery and idyllic surroundings, even foreign visitors make the trip. In recent years, Bitan — once a go-to dating destination — has become more dynamic through new construction and improvements, with enhanced environmental quality. If you haven’t made any weekend plans yet, how about a one-day trip to Wulai and Bitan? Enjoy a hot spring soak, a relaxing walk, some fresh air, and have a different kind of old-fashioned date.

Wulai Old Street

When in Wulai, you can’t miss the local indigenous cuisine. The Wulai Old Street area along Wulai Street, Waterfall Road, and the Mountain Loop Road features shops that highlight indigenous flavors, such as charcoal-grilled wild boar, hot spring eggs, gourd leaf rice, bamboo tube rice, and mountain pepper dishes — all rare indigenous delicacies you won’t find elsewhere. You can also enjoy traditional mountain songs and dance performances here, experiencing the warmth and vibrancy of the indigenous culture.

▲ Wulai Old Street offers many distinctive indigenous dishes. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)

Wulai Hot Springs

When you think of Wulai, hot springs come to mind. In the Atayal language, the term refers to steaming natural springs. Whether it was the Atayal people who arrived first, or later Han Chinese and Japanese settlers, everyone fell in love with these springs known for their beauty-enhancing and digestive benefits. The old street is lined with numerous hot spring hotels, where visitors can soak while taking in Wulai’s natural landscape and unwind completely.

▲ You can't miss the hot springs when visiting Wulai. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau)

Wulai Forest Railway (Forest Train)

Originally used for transporting timber, the Wulai Forest Railway is now a passenger service. The tracks run alongside the Lover’s Path, built along the Nanshi River Valley. It’s recommended to take the forest train uphill and then walk down the Lover’s Path back to Lanyue Bridge. With mountains on one side and the river on the other, this scenic path allows visitors to enjoy fresh air and negative ions through light exercise — a very relaxing experience.

The Wulai Forest Railway is currently under repair due to typhoon damage and is expected to reopen at the end of January 2017.

▲ The forest train is a signature mode of transport in Wulai. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government)

Wulai Waterfall & Aerial Cable Car

The best way to enjoy the waterfall views in Wulai is by taking the aerial cable car. The 80-meter-high Wulai Waterfall cascades down from the mountaintop, its natural white ribbon of water attracting visitors to quietly admire it from the opposite勇士 Square. The Wulai Cable Car, which spans the Nanshi River next to the hot spring street, not only showcases Wulai’s iconic sights but also offers an excellent vantage point to view the waterfall from above.

▲ Visitors can enjoy views of the waterfall from high above. (Photo / Screenshot from Yunxian Amusement Park’s official fan page)

Cherry Blossom Viewing in Spring

Wulai isn’t just famous for its hot springs; its mountain cherry blossoms are breathtaking when in full bloom. From January to March each year is the best time to admire the cherry blossoms. Strolling through Wulai during this season, you’ll see the cherry trees’ lovely blooms by bridges, along railways, or on pedestrian pathways, creating a more beautiful scene when paired with the nearby waterfalls and streams.

▲ Wulai’s pink mountain cherry blossoms have a unique charm. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)

Fireflies

You don’t have to venture deep into the mountains to see fireflies dancing among the trees. Located by the Nanshi River, Wulai’s Yunxian Amusement Park not only boasts rich natural ecology but also offers a chance to see fireflies from late April to early June each year. To witness these undisturbed glowing lights, visit the park during the firefly season and join the magical evening forest light show.

▲ Fireflies dance among the trees at night. (Photo / Screenshot from Yunxian Amusement Park’s official fan page)

Spend your day enjoying nature in Wulai, soaking in the hot springs, and then head to Bitan for a relaxing stroll or a ride on a swan boat. The Bitan Scenic Area, near the Xindian MRT station, sits along the clear waters of the Xindian River and is a great place for city dwellers to relax, unwind, and go on dates — with charming views both day and night.

▲ Daytime scenery by the Bitan riverside. (Photo / Xiaohu Dream Net)

Swan Boats

Riding a swan boat is a must-do activity for many couples visiting Bitan. The scenic riverside, featuring massive stone cliffs and the iconic Bitan Suspension Bridge, offers breathtaking views best enjoyed from a swan boat. Unlike the past when boats required constant pedaling, today’s electric swan boats allow visitors to take in the scenery with less effort.

▲ Riding a swan boat is a popular water activity in Bitan. (Photo / Purple Smile)

Shopping Streets

In the past, the area around Bitan was mostly lined with temporary roadside stalls, making the environment rather untidy. However, after planning and renovation, the small shops around Bitan have become clean and refreshing, offering a pleasant and comfortable stroll. Many unique boutiques are well worth a visit.

▲ The clean and tidy shopping street after the renovation. (Photo / Xiao Hu’s Dream-Net)

Riverside landscape restaurants

After walking, shopping, or tiring yourself out on the swan pedal boats along the Bitan riverside, you can dine at one of the nearby riverside landscape restaurants while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The cozy outdoor seating offers a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Sitting from daytime to evening allows you to see different facets of Bitan, romantic both day and night.

▲ Riverside restaurant with views of the river. (Photo / Purple Smile)

▲ The romantic night view of Bitan. (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City)

Bitan Water Dance Show

From December 24 to April 5 of next year, New Taipei City’s Bitan will host a 103-day international-level water dance show. The spectacular water dance, paired with music that alternates between elegant and uplifting, along with dazzling, ever-changing lights, creates a rich visual and auditory feast that’s hard to look away from. This limited-time international event is not to be missed.

▲ Bitan Water Dance Show (Photo / Provided by New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau)

Water Dance Show Performance Information
Performance Period: December 24, 2016 – April 5, 2017
Total Number of Performances: 103 days
Performance Frequency: 18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30 (except 18:00 on December 24)
Duration of Each Show: Approximately 5 minutes